Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has challenged claims of miraculous healings made during recent crusades by controversial preacher David Owuor, warning against narratives that could undermine Kenya’s healthcare system.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday night, Duale said the government respects freedom of religion but will not allow faith to replace science-based medicine.
He stressed that belief and medical treatment can coexist, but professional standards must be upheld.
“Our bone of contention with Bishop Owuor is simple. We believe in faith and spiritual nourishment, but we still take medicine for different ailments,” Duale said.
He questioned the decision to publicly present trained doctors as witnesses to miracles, arguing that such actions blur the line between personal belief and professional responsibility.
The Health CS noted that the medical regulator has already intervened. According to Duale, doctors who were seen acknowledging the alleged miracles have been formally asked to submit data and medical evidence to support their claims.
He said doctors are trained through rigorous scientific processes and are accountable to ethical and regulatory frameworks.
“We cannot take our children to medical school, they become medical officers, then you parade five doctors and say they have done a miracle,” Duale added.
He also raised concerns over what he described as contradictory messaging from the preacher.
Duale said he had been informed that Owuor himself underwent a knee replacement, a procedure dependent on modern medical intervention.
He questioned why followers would be encouraged to rely solely on spiritual healing while advanced medical care is privately sought.
The remarks come amid growing public debate over the role of religion in healthcare, with medical experts cautioning Kenyans against abandoning hospitals, especially for serious or chronic illnesses.
Duale reiterated that the Ministry of Health’s priority is public safety.
He said faith should offer comfort and hope, but medical claims must be supported by evidence to protect citizens from harm and misinformation.